Praising God in the Highest of Highs and the Lowest of Lows
As I prepare for this amazing adventure I can’t help but feel an overwhelming amount of gratitude to each and every one of my friends and family that have helped to make this dream a reality.
At times I find myself so completely absorbed by how far I still have to go with fundraising and preparation for the trip. It can be easy to forget to thank God and each and every one of you for how far I have already come.
As far as fundraising goes I am at 57%. This is huge! To think that only a few weeks ago I was worried that I wouldn’t make my first deadline of 25%… and now, because of YOU; I have exceeded the second deadline of 50%. Wow! What a huge weight off my shoulders. My hope is to enter the Mission Field fully funded, that way I can focus all my efforts on God’s work. Although, as it is, I know without a shadow of a doubt that God has blessed this trip. I have already experienced His loving hand on all my endeavors.
The gear for the trip has been so enjoyable to look into and prepare for. I had an amazing man in my life donate enough money for me to buy gear and accessories. I have been trying my gear in the field and am so excited for this amazing adventure.
Over this past weekend I climbed to the summit of Mount Whitney in California. As a brief geography lesson; Mount Whitney is the tallest mountain in the contiguous United States. It is one of the most intense altitude changes in the world with Death Valley at -282’ below sea level being only 135 miles from the peak of the mountain at 14,505’ above sea level.
I embarked on this amazing adventure with my brothers and some close friends of the family. What an amazing bonding experience! I would love to say that it was a breeze for me… but, that would be a terrible lie. I struggled with myself wondering if I was going to be able to muster up the strength and tenacity to keep on going. But alas, with the amazing gear that was so generously donated to me I was able to reach the summit. To look out at the rigged majesty of the Sierra Nevada Mountains, one can’t help but believe in an all powerful God. I feel that if that gear can get me through some of the toughest terrain on earth then I should have no trouble with 11 months abroad.
Money and gear aren’t the only things that one needs to be successful at life… one must also be spiritually and psychologically ready for such a strenuous year. I have a huge debt of gratitude to countless Christians who have selflessly given of their time to make sure that I knew they were behind me 110% of the way. I have amazing mentors who meet with me for what we call C&Cs, (Coffee and Conversation) to ensure that I am really ready to dive in head first into these 11 months of unknown. To all these amazing people I am so thankful.
For my amazing Church, I am so grateful. When I think of a week ago and my baptism; I can’t help but feel an amazing sense of family there. God has blessed me with so much more than I could have ever dreamed of. The fact that I have the courage to embark on this adventure is due to the amazing people that have surrounded me in my walk with Christ Jesus. Many of these amazing people are from my church. I love the fact that every time I go to church at least thirty people come up to me and ask how my mission trip preparations are going and then proceed to pray with and for me. I am overwhelmed by the love that is so apparent at Passion City Church. God truly is moving in the city through this church.
As a final prayer of thanks I would like to mention my family members who have been there through the thick and thin with me. The days that I was completely unsure of life and the days when I thought that I knew more than all of them combined. The seasons of life when I had to do things the hard way and the respites when I have truly let God lead me. In every moment of life I have always known that I could call any one of my older siblings or my grandparents for help and guidance.
My grandparents are the most loving and generous people I could ever hope to meet. When I was kicked out of home at 17 they opened up their home to me and showed me what God is truly like. I love my Mom-Mom and Dad-Dad so very much. They have become like my own parents. If I end up as half the man that my Grandfather is, then I will be one of the greatest men to walk the face of the earth.
My sister Christen has always been there for me since I left home. If I ever need to talk to someone about issues that I am facing I know that she will always listen. There may have been times when she would prefer not to hear about all the things that I do in my life; but she has never once complained. She always listens and gives me some of the best advice.
My brother Duke is such an inspiration to me. He just became an assistant pastor at his church. Listening to him preach have been some of my proudest moments. He has been through so much in his short life, so when he tells me of the grace and forgiveness of God I can’t help but listen.
Grant… Where to start with him? Wow, he has changed my life so very much. If it hadn’t been for Grant there is no way that I would ever be giving up 11 months of my life to be a missionary. He is the most adventurous person I know, and yet he slowed down enough to get his Mechanical Engineering Degree at Georgia Tech, thus making him the first McCaffrey in 50 years to graduate. I moved to Georgia to follow in his footsteps and have been so thankful ever since. He is the reason that I started going to Passion City Church and found this amazing family of believers. God has blessed me so much through my amazing brother.
Anna Rachelle is such a strong person. We are so similar; people always ask us if we are twins. She has always pushed me to become a better man even if I didn’t want to listen. (A little side note… she was the first person to get behind me Financially for this mission trip. Thank-You!)
I promise I will wrap this up soon. But if I’m writing a blog about thankfulness there is no way I can forget my closest friend all through childhood; my brother Christopher Garrick. We share several of the same scars from doing the same stupid things together. All our childhood we were inseparable. Wherever he went I wanted to go as well. I know it can be terrible having a younger brother tagging around all the time, but Christopher never complained; he was always there to help and teach me. I will never forget all the invaluable lessons that I have learned from Him.
So as I bring this to a close I hope you can see just how many things I am thankful for. Life hasn’t been all “sunshine and rainbows” but even in the hard times I have seen God’s hand guiding me home. I pray that God blesses me with the ability to thank Him every day for all His many blessings.
Praise to Him above all things, for His many blessings. Amen.
